Signal device



OC 3, 1946- J. D. KENNELLY v2,409,046'

SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Jun'e 22, 1944 I s sheets-sheet 1 I Il ai 8 1946 J.p. KENNELLY 2,409,045 y SIGNAL DEVICE Filed June 22, 1944 s sheets-sheet2 l of.s,1946. J. D. KENNELLY y 2,4o9;o4s

i SIGNAL DEVICE' Filed June 22, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 8,1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNAL DEVICE Jeremiah D. Kennelly, OakPark, Ill.

Application June 22, 1944, Serial No. 541,561 6 claims; (c1. 177-329)This invention relates to signal devices and more particularly to signallights having a plurality of selectively operable light sources.Although not limited thereto, the present invention is particularlyadapted for use on railroad trains and will be described in connectiontherewith. When a railroad train is stopped on a track, it is highlydesirable to signal approaching trains witho-ut requiring trainmen tocarry signal lamps or the like down a track. It is accordinglyone of theobjects of the present invention to utilize the usual headlights orrunning lights on a train as signal lights to indicate danger toapproaching trains.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal device in whichtwo light sources may be selectively operated. Specifically one of thelight sources may be a white light for running or normal operation,while the other may be a red light to indicate danger.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a signal device inwhich either or both the normal running light and the danger signallight may be oscillated thru a predetermined pattern to be more easilyvisible.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a signal device inwhich a support carrying two light sources may be moved to bring eitherof the light sources into register with a lens opening. According to oneimportant feature, only the light which is in register with the lensopening can be energized.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be morereadily apparent from the following description, when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is atop plan viewwith parts in section of a signal device embodying the invention;

Figur@ 2 is a side view with parts in section of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the lamp support; and

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram.

The signal device as shown, comprises a main frame in the form of a ringIl] which may be secured to a railway car or the like in the openingprovided for the usual head light or running light. The frame carries anannular reflector II and may be closed by a glazed cover I2. The frameII] has a rearwardly extending bracket I3 supporting a motor I4 and gearbox I 5 for a purpose to appear later.

The main frame is universally connected to a .sub-frame I5 thru anannular universal joint formed by a pair of annular rings Il and I8. Thering Il' is supported on vertical aligned pivots in brackets I9 carriedby the main frame and the ring I3 carries brackets 2l pivoted to thering Il on aligned horizontal pivots. Thus, the ring I8 may be moveduniversally relative to the main frame I6. The sub-frame I as best seenin Figure 2 is connected to brackets 22 on the ring I8.

The sub-frame carries two light sources indicated as incandescent lamps23 and 24 carried by a support 25 which is pivotal on a vertical axis onthe sub-frame. As best seen in Figure the support includes an elongatedpivot rod 26 having projecting therefrom at right angles'a pair ofsockets 21 and 28 carrying the lamps 23 and 2li respectively.

The sockets also carry reflectors 29 and 3| cooperating with the lamps23 and 24 and which may be closed by glazed covers 32 and 33.

Support 25 is adapted to be turned by a motor 33 carried by thesub-frame and reciprocating a link 35 as the motor is operated. The linkis pivoted to a block 36 which is adjustably slidable in al cross slotin a head 3l connected to the upper end of the pivot rod 26.Preferablythe block 36 is locked in adjusted position so that a fullstroke of the connecting rod 35 will turn the support thru an anglesuflicient to move one of the light sources into register with theopening in the reflector II and the other of the light sources fully outof register therewith.

The support is adapted to fbe locked in either of its extreme positionswith either one or the other of the light sources in register with thereflector opening by a latch 38 movable into one or the other of a pairof notches 39 in the head 31. The latch is urged into engagement withthe notches by a spring 4I and may be moved out of engagement with thenotches by a solenoid 42.

In order to oscillate the sub-frame and the lamps carried thereby tocause the light beams to move thru a predetermined pattern, the gear boxI5 is provided on its opposite ends with cranks 43 and 44- connectedthru links 45 and 46 to the rings I 'I and I8 respectively. Preferablythe cranks are angularly displaced and may be driven at different speedsby the gear box to produce an irregular pattern such for example, as agure 8. When the motor I4 is operating, the link 45 will rock the ringI'I about its vertical pivots while the link 46 will simultaneously rockthe ring I8 about its horizontal, pivots on ring I'I. By properlyrelating thespeeds of the links and theY angular displacef 3 mentthereof substantially any desired pattern can be obtained.

The pivotal movement of the support 25 is limited to insure that one orthe other of the lamps will be in register with the reflector opening bylimit switches 41 and 48. The limit switches are mounted on thesub-frame I6 and are adapted to be engaged by the sockets 21 and 28 asthe support turns. Normally, the switches are closed and are opened byengagement of the support therewith to interrupt operation of the motor34 when the support is in a position with one or the other of the lampsin register with the reflector opening. As shown in Figure 4, the switch48 is in its normal closed position while the switch 41 is held open byengagement of the socket 28 therewith.

The lamps, the motors and the solenoid are adapted to be energized fromany desired source of current indicated diagrammatically in Figure 4 asa battery 49. The motor I4 is controlled by a main switch I and aninching switch 52 connected in parallel. One side of the motor isconnected to one side of the source 49 thru a main power lead 53connected to a bus-bar 54 on terminal panel and the other side isconnected thru the switches 5I or 52 to a second main power lead 55.Thus, when either of the switches 5I or 52 is closed, the motor I4 willoperate. Preferably the switch 5I is of the type which will remainclosed for semi-permanent operation of the motor I4 while the switch 52is of the button type, and is provided to align the lights as desiredwhen they are to be used in fixed position.

The lights and the motor 34 are controlled by a main control switchincluding a wiper blade 56 movable over oppositely disposed segments 51and 58. The blade 56 is connected to the power lead 55 leading from oneside of the source 49. The blade 51 is connected thru a wire 59 to abus-bar 6I on the rst terminal board, which is in turn connected to abus-bar 62 on a second panel. The bus-bar 62 is connected by a wire 63to the lamp 23. The other side of the lamp is connected by a wire 64 tothe terminal bar 54 and thru the wire 53 to the other side of the source49. Thus, when the blade 56 is in engagement with the segment 51 thelamp 23 will be energized. The lamp 23 is preferably the danger signallamp and may be colored red or other desired color either by coloringthe lamp itself or by providing a colored glazed cover 32 over itsreflector 29.

The second lamp 24 is connected on one side to the wire 84 and on itsother side to a bus-bar 65. The bus-bar 65 is connected to a bar 65which is connected thru a wire 61 to a small segment 68 partially inregister with the segment 58. The segments 58 and 68 are interconnectedthru a dimming resistance 59. When the switch blade 5G is in engagementwith the segment 68 the lamp 24 will be energized. When, however, theblade 56 is in engagement only with the segment 58, the lamp 24 will beconnected to the source 49 thru the resistance 69 to provide dimmingoperation of the lamp. While the dimming resistance has been shown forconnection in circuit with only one of the lamps, it will be understoodthat both of the lamps could be dimmed in like manner, if desired.

The motor 34 and the solenoid 42 are adapted to be simultaneouslyenergized and for this purpose are connected in parallel vas shown.` Oneside of each the motor andthe solenoid is connected to the wire 64 andthru the wire 53 to the source 49. The other side of each the motor andthe solenoid is connected thru a wire 1I to a terminal bar 12 on thesecond terminal panel. The terminal bar 12 is connected thru switch 41to a contact 13 adapted to be engaged by the blade 56 when it is inengagement with the segment 68. The bar 12 is similarly connected thruswitch 48 to a contact 14 adapted to be engaged by the 'switch 5E whenit is in engagement with the segment 51.

With the parts in the position shown, the lamp 23 is in register withthe opening in the reector to provide a red or other colored signalindicating danger. If the switch blade 56 is now moved into engagementwith the segment 51 the lamp 23 Will be energized. An oscillating beammay be provided for greater visibility by closing the switch 5I toenergize the motor I4.

To turn the support to bring the other lamp 24 into register with thereector opening the blade 56 may be swung to the left to engage thesegments 53 and 68 and the contact 13. At this time, the lamp 24 will beenergized and the motor 34 and solenoid 42 will also be energized thruthe circuit from the contact 13. The solenoid 42 will retract the latch38 freeing the support to turn and the motor 34 will operate thru theconnecting rod 35 and head 31 to turn the entire supportcounterclockwise as seen in Figure 1. The motor and solenoid will remainenergized until the socket 21 engages and opens the limit switch 48. Atthis time, the lamp 24 will be in register with the opening in thereflector, the circuit to the motor 34 and the solenoid will be opened.Thus the latch 38 will be moved by its spring 4I into the registeringnotch 39 to hold the support xedly in position on the sub-frame. Thesignal device is now in running position showing a white light which maybe oscillated by operation of the motor I4 or which may be heldstationary by opening the switch 5I.

In the event a train equipped with a signal device of the presentinvention is stopped on the track, the engineer or other trainrnan hasonly to throw the blade 55 to the right into engagement with the segment51 and contact 14. This will immediately move the red lamp 23 intoregister with the reflector opening and project a red signal beam fromthe device. By oscillating this beam thru operation of the motor I4, itmay be made visible for a long distance to indicate the presence of astopped train on the track.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described indetail herein, it will be understood that this is illustrative only andis not intended as a definition of the scope of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A signal device comprising a main frame adapted to be ixedly mountedon a car or the like and formed with an opening through which a lightbeam may project, a subframe, universal mounting means connecting thesubframe to the main frame for universal pivotal movement relativethereto, a support pivoted on the subframe, a pair of light sourcescarried by the support to be moved selectively into register with theopening, means to oscillate the subframe about the adapted to be flxedlymounted on a car or the like and formed with an opening through which alight beam may project, a subirame, universal mounting means connectingthe subframe to the main frame for universal pivotal movement relativethereto, a support pvoted on the subframe, a pair of light sourcescarried by the support to be moved selectively into register with theopening, a motor on one of the frames connected to the other of theframes to oscillate the subframe about the universal mounting means, amotor on the subframe connected to the support to move it about itspivot, and control switches to control said motors and the lightsources.

3. A signal device comprising a main frame adapted to be iixedly mountedon a car or the like and formed with an opening through which a lightbeam may project, a subframe, universal mounting means connecting thesubframe to the main frame for universal pivotal movement relativethereto, a support pivoted on the subframe, a pair of light sourcescarried by the support to be moved selectively into register with theopening, a motor on one of the frames connected to the other of theframes to oscillate the subframe about the universal mounting means, amotor on the subframe connected to the support to move it about itspivot, a latch on the subframe engageable with the support, a solenoidto disengage the latch, limit switches on the subframe operated by thesupport to control the last named motor and the solenoid, and a controlswitch simultaneously to energize the solenoid to release the latch, thelast named motor to bring one of the light sources into register withthe opening, and said one oi the light sources.

4. A signal device comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on acar or the like and formed with an opening through which a light beammay project, a sub-frame, mounting means connecting the sub-frame to themain frame for oscillatory movement relative thereto, a pair ofangularly related light sources mounted upon the sub-frame and adaptedto be moved selectively into register with the opening, and motor meansfor moving said sub-frame to change the position of said light sourcesand'also for oscillating the sub-frame.

5. A signal device comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on acar or the like and formed with an opening through which a light beammay project, a, sub-frame, mounting means connecting the sub-frame tothe main frame for pivotal movement relative thereto, a pair of lightsources carried by said sub-frame in angular relation and adapted to bemoved selectively into register with the opening, said light sourcesprojecting visually different rays through said opening, and motor meansfor moving said sub-frame to bring said light sources selectively intoregister with the opening and for reciprocating said light sources whenaligned with said opening.

6. A signal device comprising a main frame adapted to be mounted on avehicle and formed with an opening through which a light beam mayproject, a pair of light sources adapted to project visually diierentrays, the rays from one of said light sources serving as a warninglight, means for mounting said light sources within said frame formovement into and out of alignment with said opening and also foroscillating when aligned with said opening, and motor 35 means forproducing said movements of said light sources.

JEREMIAH D. KENNELLY.

